A 68-year-old male underwent a right upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated by a delayed-onset empyema. The infected pleural space was successfully cleansed,applying the principles of accelerated treatment first described by the Weder group for patients sustaining an empyema after pneumonectomy. This strategy has been proved to be safe and effective even in cases of pleural space infection after minor lung resections, and we therefore recommend it for consideration as an additional treatment option for this patient group alongside the established techniques.